Recently, we stayed at the Capt Lobo’s Beach Resort on Baga Beach in Goa, from 2nd to 6th August ’09. That experience sums up the tackiness of what is happening to that wonderful destination. Their claim to be a 3 star property is some sort of joke!
The resort was booked over internet, through travelguru.com. During pre confirmation exchanges with the hotel staff, information was incorrect, tardy, delayed and full of excuses. The pre visit confirmation was later signed by the management of the Resort, Michelle Lobo. She is actually away to the US, holidaying with her husband and has no clue of what is happening at her property.
On site, the property was being managed by caretakers. We were allotted room 112, which was not checked. Hot water was not available in the bathroom. We were then shifted to another room - 114; the alternate room has not been cleaned and dusted for a long time, as we seem to be the first guest after months. Dead cockroach, ants and huge amounts of dirt extracted.
The hotel staff had to be called in again to dust the room and the good wife gave a hand to remake the beds with sheets, which were stained. The toilet now had another problem, where water did nor clear after bath, flooding the floor. This problem was not cleared/cleaned for two further days of our stay. There are no curtains to block light from outside; the property is lit up at night and the lights are flooding in; solution – newspapers stuck to doors/windows with cellotape.
The room was not made over one day, so we returned late evening to a sense of happiness with time and activity freeze. We did not encounter any manning of the reception desk two evenings, and helped ourselves to the room keys. On one evening, we found the staff splashing about in the pool and we suggested to him to stay there and complete his swim. Of course, the owners were busy holidaying. Response to complaints by the good captain is an example of how to be rude and discourteous. Perhaps, they think we are availing a free stay at the premises.
The cable television in the room was not working. No attempt at repairs inspite of it working fine at the reception area, kept on while the staff took their merry dip. Our request for spare glasses or cups was not acceded to as the attendant stated that keys to the pantry are not available. Inspite of advertising for presence of microwave in the pantry, there was none. The electrical plug point was not working in room; so, notebook computer, fridge and electric kettle shared the same source of power, depending what is the priority; and this plug was not in the pantry! Overall, the property is in shabby state with canvas and covers all over the place. Outside the room, electrical wires are in exposed state in the passage.
Not to mention dead plants in the planter just outside. I love cats. But not when they enter the room, resulting in a couple of minutes chase, where I was mostly the loser. A part of the resort has been sold off, and which cottage belongs to which owner within the compound is difficult to distinguish. The other owners, Colonia Santa Maria have their staff in proper uniform and nameplates, as compared to Lobo’s Resort, who are in casual clothes. That, in fact, is the best way to distinguish the ownership of the cottages in the compound!
I’m amazed that the tourism authorities in Goa have allowed such seedy properties to run. Sadly, the Calangute Baga road sees almost every house converted into a hotel. Due to such laxity of standards; Goa is going to get a very bad name. We also regret that the management of this hotel are complacent to pass of such a property as a holiday resort. Why didn’t they shut down the property during the rains (in our opinion, the best time to enjoy Goa-we have been doing so, regularly the last 25 years), and enjoy YOUR holidays in the US in peace instead of making a micky of paying customers?